Bible Myths and their Parallels in other Religions Being a Comparison of the Old and New Testament Myths and Miracles with those of the Heathen Nations of Antiquity Considering also their Origin and Meaning

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and a military force;
and this ecclesiastical resolution was conducted with so much
discretion and vigor, that the religion of the Emperor was
established.[382:2]

Here we have the historical fact, that bishops of the Christian church,
and their clergy, were forced to profess their belief in the doctrine
of the Trinity.

We also find that:

"This orthodox Emperor (Theodosius) considered every heretic
(as he called those who did not believe as he and his
ecclesiastics professed) as a rebel against the supreme powers
of heaven and of earth (he being one of the supreme powers of
earth) and each of the powers might exercise their peculiar
jurisdiction over the soul and body of the guilty.

"The decrees of the Council of Constantinople had ascertained
the true standard of the faith, and the ecclesiastics, who
governed the conscience of Theodosius, suggested the most
effectual methods of persecution. In the space of fifteen
years he promulgated at least fifteen severe edicts against
the heretics, more especially against those who rejected the
doctrine of the Trinity."[382:3]

Thus we see one of the many reasons why the "most holy Christian
religion" spread so rapidly.

Arius—who declared that in the nature of things a father must be older
than his son—was excommunicated for his so-called heretical notions
concerning the Trinity. His followers, who were very [Pg 383]numerous, were
called Arians. Their writings, if they had been permitted to
exist,[383:1] would undoubtedly contain the lamentable story of the
persecution which affected the church under the reign of the impious
Emperor Theodosius.